I rise to take note of the report on the feasibility of a National Horse Traceability Register for all horses, and I want to start by saying how excited I am that we are at the point of unanimous recommendations from Liberal, Labor and Nationals—and, of course, the Greens—that we need a National Horse Traceability Register in Australia. As the report shows, there are so many benefits that will come from having this register. To think that we don't even know how many horses there are in Australia at the moment really is an eye-opener.

Australian Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has said the attempted takeover of the Dapto Showground and the Dapto Agricultural & Horticultural Society by Greyhound Racing NSW in order to force them to race dogs at a financial loss is chilling and the opposite of community and democracy. The matter is currently being heard in the Supreme Court.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The idea a Government appointed body can take over a local community-based agricultural society is simply chilling and another example of the Liberal-National Governments contempt for community.

Australian Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has welcomed National Australia Bank’s release of their Animal Welfare Principles as an important step forward in corporations acknowledging their responsibility to protect animals. She has said that banks need to go even further to protect animals.

Senator Faruqi: To move—That the Senate—

(a) notes that on 17 October 2019, 7.30 revealed that:

(i) horses bred for racing, and subject to interstate trade, are being sent to knackeries and abattoirs to be slaughtered,

(ii) the horse racing industry produced more than 14,000 foals in the last financial year,

It has been less than a month since Australia saw the brutal vision of racehorses being beaten, abused and cruelly slaughtered. Like most people who saw the footage, I was absolutely sickened and very angry at the evidence of hundreds of racehorses ending up at abattoirs and knackeries, where they were subjected to beatings, torture and electrocution, including of the genitals and anus. Horses were slaughtered in front of each other and bolt guns were used four or five times before horses were finally stunned. What kind of society have we become where such brutality is allowed to go on?

Greens animal welfare spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has reacted to the suffering of racehorses in today’s Melbourne cup. Rostropovich is reported to have suffered a cracked pelvis and was rushed to an equine clinic while Prince Of Arran was whipped to the point that jockey Michael Walker received a seven-meeting ban and $10,000 fine.

“When animals and gambling mix, animals always suffer,” Senator Faruqi said.

Greens spokesperson for animal welfare, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has called on people and businesses to say ‘nup’ to the Melbourne Cup today.

Senator Faruqi said:

“I’m calling on everyone to join me and many other Australians in saying ‘nup’ to the Melbourne Cup and all cruelty to horses.

“I’m overwhelmed by the surge in support for #NupToTheCup. It’s clear the community values animal welfare and the racing industry will end up on the wrong side of history if they ignore this strong community sentiment.

Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has said that she will be saying ‘Nup to the Cup’ and called on others to boycott the Melbourne Cup.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Year after year we see the needless painful deaths of horses, including five in the last six Melbourne Cups.

“Cruel practices like whipping and tongue tying happen every day in the horse racing industry, and we even see horses subjected to electric shocks to get them to run faster - all for the sake of a bet.

Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has backed the RSPCA’s calls for national animal protection laws following a horror month of animal cruelty. 

The Greens have a policy of introducing national animal cruelty laws.

Senator Faruqi said:

Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has responded to Racing Victoria’s announcement of a $25m “equine welfare” plan.

Senator Faruqi said: